Announcements

Got Honeysuckle?

Amur Honeysuckle is not native to Ohio and is harmful to wildlife due to its ability to crowd out native shrubs. The Grange Insurance Audubon Center has had success removing this plant and replacing it with new native shrubs at their new facility downtown. Since its removal there has been a decrease in crime in the area. They would like to make your neighborhood safer for humans and wildlife by assisting you in removing this plant. 

If you are a Columbus resident and have Amur Honeysuckle in your backyard, you are eligible to borrow tools to remove the plant and receive as many native plants as you like to replace the honeysuckle. Or if you have honeysuckle on a woodland in your neighborhood you may also participate. Learn more at the upcoming workshop at the Grange Audubon Center on June 27^th from 1:00 to 2:00 PM.

Alternatively, you may make an appointment with the Grange Audubon Center Director of Conservation, Doreen Whitley at dwhitley@audubon.org or call 614-545-5481.

Check out these photos, courtesy of Sherrill Massey, from Friends of the Ravines/Friends of the Lower Olentangy "Annual Spring Plant Walk" at Camp Mary Orton, led by Dr. Robert Klips on Sunday, April 25th 2010!

Thanks to all who contributed to success of this year's forum, including:

Giant Eagle
Krogers
Simple Sweets Bakeshop

Clinton Heights Lutheran Church
Algy McBride
Richard Barrett
Jack Cooley

Also...

Columbus Outdoor Pursuits had scheduled several upcoming hikes throughout Central Ohio, including two within the Clintonville Ravines, led by Jack Kyle:

    Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 from 7-9 PM in Overbrook Ravine. Meet at the Whetstone
    Recreation Center parking lot.

    Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 from 7-9 PM in Glen Echo Ravine. Meet at the Whetstone
    Recreation Center parking lot and car pool to Glen Echo.

Past Announcements:

The Friends of the Ravines (FOR) collaborated with the United Way of Central Ohio and the City of Columbus for a Community Care Day cleanup of Glen Echo Park. The Glen Echo ravine is one of a number of ravines throughout Central Ohio.

Partners who lent invaluable support include:

• Volunteers from the Affinion Group, an information technology company with offices in Dublin, cleared trees and brush, walked the stream and cleared trash, painted graffiti, cleaned the rest of the park, and completed other tasks.
• Giant Eagle at 2801 N. High Street was extremely generous, donating water, fruit and ice.
• FOR also received generous donations from our local Target (Graceland) and Kroger (2801 N. High St.) stores.
• Keep Columbus Beautiful loaned all needed tools.
• Columbus Recreation & Parks provided the paint for graffiti removal.
• Neighborhood volunteers organized and participated in the day.

The Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water has launched a new web page, the Surface Water Restoration and Protection (SRP) Clearinghouse. According to Ohio EPA, this clearinghouse was developed as a means to connect comeone "who has" a resource restoration, protection, or enhancement project available for implementation with someone "who is interested" in implementing such a project. Submitting a potential project nomination is completely voluntary, and project nominations can be withdrawn at any time.

Also, check out the exciting work being done by one of our sister organizations, the Adena Brook Community!

Hayden Run  -  Hayden Run Waterfall Ravine is a beautiful example of  a limestone ravine located along the Scioto River near Dublin. The ravine has been protected as part of the City of Columbus' "Griggs Nature Preserve." The park is publicly accessible with a new boardwalk and includes two spectacular overlooks at the top of the massive cliffs. Several representative limestone outcrop plants can be observed, including Blue Ash and the Smooth Cliffbrake Fern.

Photos from Hayden Run Waterfall Ravine photo1   photo2

To become a supporting member of Friends of the Ravines, simply fill out the attached form and mail it back to us. Access the Membership Form